Monday, February 25, 2013

How to:1. Begin by cleaning and emptying the soda bottles (including the labels)

2. Have the students use the printable to write their narrative on how to catch a leprechaun. Their writing should include items they can use in order to catch a leprechaun, these items can be placed inside their bottle. Items can be ones the teacher provides or items the students bring from home, but they must be able to fit inside the bottle.

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3. The student will roll up their writing and put it inside the bottle.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Excuses...as teachers we hear so many of them throughout the day. I know you will all agree with me. "It's not my fault, my mom forgot to put it in my backpack"..."But I finished it, I just left it at home"..."I told her to shut up because she needed to" (yep heard that one today)..."They (referring to those bang snaps) were just in my pocket and I gave them to only two friends"....(again heard that one today).

My days, as of late, seem filled with excuses...more so than usual. Including ones from my daughter..."I was trying to move the chair back like you told me to and it slipped" (this excuse came after the kitchen chair fell on her toe causing the skin to pull away from the toe nail, and of course after I told her to quit playing with the chair). My students are also "extra full" of them these days especially when it comes to writing. I know we are doing a TON of writing with the state writing test looming around the corner, and part of me is ready for it to be here and gone, but the other part knows I need to keep getting them ready. "But I filled the whole page" (yes you did...putting three words on each line) "But I did write in paragraphs, it's just one big paragraph" (oh yeah that excuse was given).

So...my question to you is...what excuses are you hearing lately? and what are you doing (if you are gearing up for a state writing test) to keep your students interested?

Finally I must share part of my own excuse with you all as to why things are sparse this year...the first being my class load. Not to whine or complain because we all have a ton of work to do, but being in a new grade level and having transition students has been a HUGE workload.

I have already met with my transition student's parents at least four times (face to face) this year. I have 7 that are in response to intervention (progress monitoring for possible SpEd referrals), three that have been referred to SpEd (more paperwork), all 10 have to have individualized learning plans, all 10 have to have academic contracts (because they aren't passing), some of them have to have lessons and grades given to them in the 4th grade content areas they didn't pass on top of regular 5th grade content (so I get to teach 2 grade levels), and then the regular 5th grade paperwork and content....not to mention conferences next week!

On top of that I was asked to help coach a high school basketball team (my old high school)...of which I was SO excited to do but that is extra time there.

And my biggest excuse yet...we FINALLY sold our house!!! But we will be moving to a temp location in less than a month. So I must apologize in advance for another lack of posts in the future. Is that a good excuse????

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Just a little update on my reading tubs/groups....I am currently doing a lot of one on one during my guided reading time, but I do have a good rotation set up for my tubs.

Tub 1: Is Making Words

Have you ever seen this book? I love it and so do the kids. I usually type up a little half sheet of paper giving them a few clues as to how many three letter words...etc. I also started rotating in a word game that they enjoy (any competition is good for them). Therefore I have linked this game for you all...FREE!

Tub 2: Listening Station

We are currently listening to The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, I use some comprehension questions here and there, so I know they are listening!

Tub 3: Word Ladders

Again...another great resource! You can print a few, laminate them front to back, and have the students use vis-a-vi markers.

This is yet another GREAT resource! It is FULL of cross curriculum concepts. This is my independent work station.

Tub 6: Media Center

I hope this give you a few ideas to help get you through the month. I know I am stretched very thin right now...it's crunch time for the GA Writing Assessment and my remaining transition students are gearing up for the CAR retake, again. Not to mention those parent/teacher conferences just around the corner. Whew! I hope you all are hanging in there!